The Stride Center

Mission:
The Stride Center''s (formerly Street Tech) vision is that all men and women in our community, regardless of barriers to success will achieve economic self-sufficiency through prosperous, vibrant, meaningful careers. As an innovative social enterprise our mission is to empower men and women facing barriers to employment to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The Stride Center provides a comprehensive career development program that includes job skills training, credentials, career coaching, work experience and job placement assistance. Results:
Over 1,000 individuals enrolled, with an over 80% program retention rate. Current job placement rate is well over 80% of job ready program graduates. The Stride Center is the winner of the California Governor’s 2002 Technology Innovation Award and the CompTIA Workforce Development Excellence Award.
We are refurbishing hundreds of computers a year. Target demographics:
The students who enroll at The Stride Center are 75% unemployed, 29% have a criminal record, 21% working poor, 21% single parent, 6% disabled, 4% homeless and 4% history with substance abuse, 60% African American, 20% Latino, 20% Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander, average age is 32, 70% male and 30% female. The income level is 84% extremely low, 11% very low and 5% low. Direct beneficiaries per year:
Over 1000 students trained, hundreds of computers refurbished and provided to nonprofits, schools, and individuals. Geographic areas served:
San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Programs:

A comprehensive career training program including technical, life, career and professional skills development, job placement services and work experience at our social venture business, ReliaTech.

Community Reviews

My experience at stride center has been great i've been learning a lot and the instructor Mr. Trudeau is a great instructor. He knows the material in the book. I recommend this to people that are looking for IT training for a good reasonable price.

The Stride Center is a fantastic organization! As a partner, we work together with them to provide professional clothing, mock interviews and career development support to their students and are continually impressed with the quality of their training, the students and the change they inspire. Our corporate partners are always impressed after they interview the students. The staff is impressive and supportive of all of their students.

I've been following the growth of The Stride Center since the beginning in 1999. The social value of this organization is extensive. Changing people's lives over and over. It's been an honor to now be working for the organization I admired from a far. The good work inspires us all to keep at it every day.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Amazing group of committed people

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Serve some of the most impoverished communities across the entire state of California. Create jobs! Connect thousands of people to broadband. Refurbish thousands and thousands of computers for the community.

Ways to make it better...

Supporters, there is such a needs and the message about this work needs to be known and supported.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

One thing I'd also say is that...

Knowledge is power. Skills is confidence. Opportunity is life changing.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

As a supporter, I see first hand how The Stride Center helps people change their lives! It's more than just a training program or nonprofit - The Stride Center helps people with all aspects of their life, not just training or jobs. It teaches life skills, helps develop support networks for students and creates networking opportunities for professional development. And the students work so hard to achieve their goals here, it is a life-changing organization, no doubt.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Street Tech was a godsend! I had gone to school to learn computer repair and networking but I couldn't find a job willing to let me flex my newly acquired skills. I would often look at job postings on the internet. Many of them were seeking potential candidates with A+ Certification. Researching the cost of getting the certification cast a doubtful outlook on my future. The price of testing is VERY expensive. I cast my plans to the side and let life take over.
Life took over, indeed. Unemployed and disgruntled, I soon began walking the streets going door-to-door trying to advertise and repair for residential customers. Still trying to figure out how to get some credentials under my belt. As fate would have it, I ended up advertising to someone who referred me to an old classmate of Director Joe McKinley. This classmate told me that Joe might help me get into the market. No truer words had been spoken. Soon, I was signing up for Street Tech's A+ Certification class.
Street Tech has a very clean facility. Professional staff, an obviously VERY affordable program for people who need a second chance and a formidable success rate. It's no wonder they've made it this far. I can come in and use resources at reasonable times and get a pep talk from the staff almost anytime.
As far as weaknesses, Street Tech is hindered by a lack of updated resources, no access to the latest OSes like Vista, Red Hat Linux, Server 2003, etc. Many machines are kindly donated but they are not the latest as the market changes rapidly. Licensed software is also difficult and expensive to acquire. Our last class had to dig in and split the cost of valuable testing software that was needed.
The cost of human resources has also taken a small toll on poor Street Tech. Although very efficient, very punctual, very professional and very knowledgeable, the staff at Street Tech cannot live on bread alone. It has been evidenced by several of my colleagues who stayed to take classes beyond our A+ certification that the quality of the teaching staff had been significantly reduced due to budget constraints.
Many of my colleagues, like myself, are from all parts of the community. We are disadvantaged, low income, pregnant, on parole, and hungry. We are always looking for hope. We are looking for that brief glimpse of sunlight on the horizon. Street Tech is that light. Please endorse Street Tech and help bring more light over that horizon.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

My self and my colleagues. We call and email each other frequently to keep each other updated and in the job market. Many of my colleagues have found jobs immediately after class and are making much more money than they were previous to the class

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Ensure that my students had the best teachers. I would continue to make sure my staff provides support to the students and I would hustle to make sure my students have the best resources available

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

I was given a ton of information. I liked my classmates. The staff was very knowledgeable.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Professional, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. These are the kind of people you can invite to your house for a Christmas party and know it'll be enjoyable!

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Whoo! It would be an outstanding success. I believe the only challenge at that point would be ensuring that the organization maintained focus and direction.

Ways to make it better...

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Money, teachers and equipment. Pretty much the same challenges that California public schools are facing.

One thing I'd also say is that...

I have experienced visiting many nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area. Some are not nearly as deserving or show the same potential for pumping out excellence as Street Tech. You will see a theme in the answers I posted above. I realize that i am only 1 voice, but there is no doubt that there will be MANY more voices as Street Tech continues to evolve. Please help keep Street Tech alive!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

The level of education in the short time the courses takes is fabulous and you will be able to pass the certification tests. The life skills taught get you ready for not only the work place but help you improve your personal strengths and attitudes.Even down to how to interview successfully.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

as a a student of street tech i think is a great place for a person who never touched a computer the learn about computers and microsoft applications granted its hard but what in life isin't but if you make a comitment it will be a great reward a certification so give street tech a chance it worked for me and i feel great just dont get on joe's bad side or it can get real ruff.